Why Was the UN So Active in Dividing Sudan?
Sudan, once a single independent nation, was divided in 2011, a move that has been closely scrutinized for its geopolitical ramifications and the influential hands behind it. This article explores the reasons behind the United Nations' (UN) active role in Sudan's division, highlighting the significant roles played by Western powers, particularly the United States, and the strategic factors that made Sudan a ripe target for such a division.
Western Influence and the UN
The collective West, especially under the leadership of the United States, wielded enormous clout and influence over the UN during the Unipolar Moment in the world geopolitical order. This era, marked by the demise of the Soviet Union in 1989, saw the US as the only unchallenged great power in the world. Within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the US, along with two or more of its key allies, held veto powers, enabling them to exert significant control over UN decisions and actions.
The Darfur Conflict and Civil War
Under increasing Western pressure, Sudan was already grappling with a civil war, primarily between the Arab and Muslim North and the non-Arab South, which consisted of largely Christian and animist populations. The conflict in the Darfur region further strained Sudan's stability, and the international community, including the UN, faced growing calls to intervene.
Strategic Importance and Resource Wealth
Aside from its rich cultural and demographic divisions, Sudan's strategic importance and resource wealth added to its significance. Spanning the Nile, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa, Sudan held a crucial geographic location. Furthermore, the discovery of significant oil reserves in the South added an extra layer of complexity to the situation, as these reserves happened to be in an area dominated by non-Arab and non-Muslim populations.
Western Support and UN Action
The post-9/11 world, characterized by the War on Terror and growing Islamophobia, further exacerbated the vulnerabilities facing Sudan. The West, led by the United States, emphasized its exceptionalism and sought to consolidate its influence over regions deemed strategically important. This era also witnessed a rapid expansion of NATO to Eastern Europe and beyond, underscoring a heightened sense of Western reassertiveness and imperialism.
Amid these circumstances, the West, particularly the United States, provided significant support to the South. President George W. Bush gifted the Southern leader, Salva Kiir, a Texas hat as a symbol of understanding and support. The US increased pressure on the UN, creating an environment where the division of Sudan appeared to be both morally justifiable and politically advantageous.
The Birth of South Sudan
The culmination of these factors led to the independence of South Sudan in 2011. This new nation state, born from the division of Sudan, emerged as a unique entity within the global political landscape. Its establishment marked a significant change in the geopolitical configuration of the Horn of Africa and a notable demonstration of Western influence over the UN's activities and outcomes.
The division of Sudan through the actions of the UN and the influence of Western powers serves as a complex case study in international relations and resource management. It highlights the intricate interplay between geopolitical pressures, strategic interests, and the role of international institutions in shaping the dynamics of nations.